Glenn Is Ready for Her Close-Up with Sunset Boulevard Remake

Glenn Close attends at the opening night party for Sunset Boulevard on February 9, 2017 in New York City.

By Walter McBride/Getty.

Glenn Close is rebounding from the Oscars, where she lost best actress to Olivia Colman in a major upset. Her next role is as the lead in a new Sunset Boulevard adaptation. The film, which already boasts that delicious, Oscar bait-y scent, has also already found its Mr. DeMille: Tony Award-winning choreographer Rob Ashford, set to direct Paramount’s musical remake of the 1950 classic, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Ashford’s most recent directing projects include Peter Pan Live! and The Sound of Music Live!

Close will, of course, be playing Norma Desmond, the addled silent film star aching for a return to fame. This won’t be Close’s first time taking on the role first made famous by Gloria Swanson: she previously starred in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Broadway musical adaption of the film in 1994, which will form the basis of Ashford’s upcoming project as well. Close picked up a best-actress Tony for her roaring portrayal (her third Tony win in the category), which was heralded as one of the best stage performances of the 20th century. “The musical allows Glenn Close to give one of those legendary performances people will be talking about years from now,” *The New York Times* praised in a review at the time.

Close starred in the musical again during its 2017 revival, with reviewers claiming that she was even better in the part this time around. The actress was expected to pick up yet another Tony for the role, but was ultimately ineligible because of her prior win. Close handled the situation with grace, telling Stephen Colbert in an interview that “it takes the pressure off. It’s fabulous. I just hope that every one of my cast members gets nominated.”

Per T.H.R., the musical Sunset Boulevard will begin production this fall—which means Close will be eyeing the 2021 Oscars rather than next year’s ceremony. This adaptation seems as sure as any to land her in the awards conversation, especially after her seven previous nominations and her surprising loss at this year’s Oscars. After winning the Golden Globe for her performance in The Wife and delivering a heartwarming speech, Close became this season’s best-actress front-runner—that is, until Colman scooped up support for her role in The Favourite. The win was shocking to even Colman herself, who delivered a flustered, charming acceptance speech off the cuff after it was announced. Close may not have won that time, but this next role all but guarantees that she’ll be back—in the next next awards cycle.